Phi Theta Kappa is recognized as the official honor society for community colleges by the American Association of Community Colleges.

Alumni Named Tau Beta Pi Scholars

Friday, July 18, 2014

Phi Theta Kappa alumnus Jake Gray works two jobs and takes out loans to pay for his education at Washington State University. But his burden will be eased a bit with the receipt of an engineering scholarship from Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society.

Jake Gray, one of nine Phi Theta Kappa alumni to be named a Tau Beta Pi Scholar

“These scholarships are very competitive, and I am so grateful to have been considered,” Gray said. “The Tau Beta Pi scholarship will help ease the financial burden of going to school and help me focus on my studies — the reason I’m going to school in the first place!”

Gray is among nine Phi Theta Kappa alumni named Tau Beta Pi Scholars, who will receive a share of $473,000 in scholarships to complete their engineering credentials. He is an alumnus of the Beta Gamma Kappa chapter at Spokane Falls Community College in Washington. He transferred to Washington State University in 2012 and is working toward two bachelor’s degrees, in chemical engineering and in chemistry. He hopes to eventually obtain a doctorate degree in chemical engineering.

Tau Beta Pi recently announced the selection of 242 Scholars from 451 applications for undergraduate study during the 2014-15 academic year. Most recipients will receive a cash award of $2,000 for his or her senior year of engineering study, and a few will receive $1,000 for one semester.

“These kinds of scholarships are extremely helpful,” Gray said. “The generous people who donate to these organizations really make a huge impact on scholarship recipients’ lives, and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all scholarship organizations for their generosity.”

All Tau Beta Pi scholarships are awarded on the competitive criteria of high scholarship, campus leadership and service, and the promise of future contributions to the engineering profession. All scholars are members of Tau Beta Pi.